This issue brief explores youth engagement in out-of-school time through a review of studies on out-of-school time attendance and participation by middle and high school students. It identifies promising practices for cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional engagement that are essential for achieving positive outcomes. It includes program-level examples from four states.

This issue brief explores how in-school educators, afterschool providers, families, and policy makers can work together to build social emotional skills youth need to succeed. The brief explores the policy context for social-emotional learning, how it is currently implemented in afterschool and school settings, and suggestions for how the two can partner on this issue.